Exactly What To Look For In Your Second (And Third) Wedding Look
Have you started gown shopping but just can’t decide which one is THE ONE? Maybe that’s because you’re destined to have more than one (gown that is). These days we’re seeing more and more brides change into a second and even third look on their big day. And why not? We say it’s your party and you’ll change if you want to. No one does multiple looks better than one of our fave brands, Grace Loves Lace, so we talked to their founder and Creative Director, Megan Ziems to get her expert advice on shopping for multiple looks. Here’s what she had to say…
What should you look for in a second/third dress? Is it an opportunity to be a bit riskier with your choice of gown and wow the room for your big reception entrance? Or, is it meant to be more comfortable for eating or dancing, etc.?
I would say every dress, no matter if it’s for your ceremony or reception, needs to be luxurious yet comfortable. We’ve seen a clear trend of brides choosing to change it up for their second or third dresses and I think this comes back to women now realizing that one dress cannot truly represent both or all sides of them. Most women feel pulled between being that classic beauty on the day whilst also celebrating their fun-loving carefree side. So it’s liberating for the bride to think, “I can do both.”
We recently dressed Tish Cyrus for her beautiful wedding in Malibu. Tish chose our Zsa Zsa gown as her second dress and you can see why. Not only did she look incredible in the fitted silhouette, but Zsa Zsa’s innovative Lycra fabrication reflects beautifully in the day and night – the perfect party gown!
Photo | Vijat Mohindra via Vogue
I think it’s most important that you are getting a gown that feels romantic, perhaps an element of tradition, classic timelessness for the ceremony. That means the reception or after-party gown can be all about having fun. A great combination for instance would be Nathalia for the ceremony paired with a gown like Zsa Zsa for the reception. I’m the first to say, there really are no rules when choosing your bridal wardrobe! We tend to relate to all different types of styles in our everyday lives, and it shouldn’t be any different for your wedding festivities. We see brides opt for more traditional lace for their ceremony, and more adventurous fabrics and silhouettes for their reception. Almost every bride can appreciate how hard it can be to choose ‘the one’ when wedding dress shopping, so being able to choose a wild card for their second or third dress means they can cover all bases.
Should you choose a theme for your gowns so there is an element of consistency?
I think it’s most important that you are getting a gown that feels romantic, perhaps an element of tradition, classic timelessness for the ceremony. That means the reception or after-party gown can be all about having fun. A great combination for instance would be Nathalia for the ceremony paired with a gown like Zsa Zsa for the reception. I’m the first to say, there really are no rules when choosing your bridal wardrobe! We tend to relate to all different types of styles in our everyday lives, and it shouldn’t be any different for your wedding festivities. We see brides opt for more traditional lace for their ceremony, and more adventurous fabrics and silhouettes for their reception. Almost every bride can appreciate how hard it can be to choose ‘the one’ when wedding dress shopping, so being able to choose a wild card for their second or third dress means they can cover all bases.
What advice would you give brides who are shopping for multiple dresses for different parts of their day? Should they experiment with different fabrics, styles, silhouettes, etc.?
I would say just have fun with it! Your wedding is a unique opportunity to express your personal style. We see brides choose long-sleeved lace gowns for their ceremony as a nod to tradition, backed up by a fun, silky gown for their reception that shines with the disco ball on the dancefloor. The true beauty of choosing additional gowns for your wedding is that it allows you to embrace being your true self at each moment of your celebrations.
For brides who can’t afford multiple dress changes, are there any key accessories that could really change up a dress?
An easy and cost-effective way to get two looks with one gown is to make sure you wear a veil for your ceremony. A veil sets the scene, gives you your security blanket for that nerve-racking aisle and vow moment and completely transforms your look. After the ceremony, remove it and add some statement jewelry–you can even do a quick lip color or hair change. A shoe change can also complete this transformation, particularly if the gown has a split on the skirt. When it comes to styling, less is definitely more! So stick to key pieces that feel quintessentially you. After all, you want to feel your most confident on your special day.
How can brides best put their own spin on their wedding style?
It is all about knowing what suits you, and knowing what is true to you and your own personality and style. Have the confidence to back yourself. If you’re a shoe girl in everyday life, then BE a shoe girl on your wedding day–make that a moment. If you're not feeling inspired then Pinterest is a great place to start - create a board of everything that jumps out at you, and you will soon see some clear consistency of what you connect with.
There's an opportunity at every touch point to put your own spin on your wedding day but choose some key moments or features that are going to make that bigger difference, then choose some finer details. I always love to see women who are authentic and embrace their true selves. It’s those women that I'm most inspired by, the women who you can see their personality shine through their wedding photos. Some of my favorite ways to add your own spin to your wedding look include adding personalized embellishments to your styling pieces or integrating vintage accessories into your look. It’s always amazing to see brides who have tied in a personal element to their wedding look, such as repurposing jewelry or accessories that have been passed down through generations.
Talking points & Quotes | Founder and Creative Director of Grace Loves Lace, Megan Ziems
